We are mysteries, even to ourselves.
There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and knowing one's self.
Who am I?
This question has vexed philosophers, poets, and ordinary people alike throughout human history.
On the surface, it may seem like a simple question. We each have a name, an age, and circumstances that help define our outer identity. But to honestly explain the depths of our being—the desires, fears, motivations, and contradictions that make us uniquely who we are—requires much deeper self-knowledge.
We are mysteries, even to ourselves. The inner workings of the human psyche are endlessly complex. We are shaped by our genes, upbringings, experiences, relationships, beliefs, and more.
“The only journey is the journey within.” Rainer Maria Rilke
Within each person lies a wellspring of conscious and unconscious drives, ever-shifting currents of thought and emotion. To fully map the contours of even a single human soul is a near-impossible task. And yet, so much of our behaviour, choices, and life paths stem from these murky inner depths. How can we adequately explain ourselves without understanding the why behind who we are?
It's akin to describing the intricate workings of a mechanical watch without ever having peered inside its casing. We can note its outer appearance, but the core mechanisms that drive it will remain obscure.
Without accurate self-awareness, our explanations of ourselves will always be incomplete, doomed to graze only superficial layers. We may resort to tidy fictions and rationalisations that help make sense of our actions, words, and decisions in the moment. But ultimately, they are poor substitutes for the more profound insights that can come through committed self-investigation.
"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. "Whoever looks outside dreams; whoever looks inside awakes."–Carl Jung.
This isn't to say that understanding ourselves is easy. The path of rigorous self-inquiry is long and arduous. It requires tremendous courage to peer unflinchingly into the darkest corners of our nature, excavate long-buried memories and impulses, and challenge our comfortable self-narratives.
Yet this is a lifetime's work - to gradually chisel away the extraneous layers to reveal the essence of who we are.
Through practices like meditation, deep self-reflection, candid dialogue, psychotherapy, soul-searching, and authentic creativity, we can strive to shine a light on the opaque caverns of the psyche.
When you know yourself, you are empowered.
When you accept yourself, you are invincible.
We may grasp the powerful undercurrents that propel us with time, sustained effort, and honesty. And with this hard-won understanding comes increased agency, self-acceptance, and the ability to better navigate life's most significant challenges.
Ultimately, knowing oneself is one of life's most important quests.
